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Canadian Corporation for Non-Residents
We help foreign entrepreneurs incorporate in Canada as non-residents: choose the province and the level of registration, prepare the documents in English, and understand the tax consequences for the founder before anything is filed.
If you want to incorporate in Canada as a non-resident, start with why you need the company. A Canadian corporation makes sense if you work with clients in North America, negotiate with Canadian companies or plan to grow the business in Canada later. You can incorporate federally or in a specific province, and the choice is not a formality. It determines the rules for directors, where the registered office must be, where the company can do business under its name and what reports it files.
For a non-resident, the main question is tax. If the company is in fact managed from another country, it may be treated as a resident there, and the founder may have to report it at home. So before registration we look at the whole picture: who owns and directs the company, where the clients are, how the contracts are set up and how profit reaches the founder.
Who it is for
- Entrepreneurs with clients or counterparties in Canada and the US
- IT companies and agencies that need a Canadian entity for contracts
- Founders who plan to grow their business in Canada
- Business owners who want to understand the tax effect in their home country in advance
Requirements
- A choice of registration level: federal or provincial
- A registered office in the chosen province
- Directors who meet the rules of the chosen jurisdiction: in a federal corporation at least 25% of directors must be resident Canadians (at least one if there are fewer than four directors); some provinces have similar rules, others do not
- Incorporation documents in English (or French)
- Annual returns and tax filings in Canada
What we do
- Compare provinces and federal incorporation for your goals
- Choose the form and the shareholding structure
- Prepare the incorporation documents in English
- Register the corporation
- Review contracts and the tax consequences for the founder in the country of residence
- Advise on the bank account and annual reporting
Key documents
- Passports of directors and shareholders
- Proof of residential address
- Details of shareholdings and ultimate beneficial owners
- Description of the business and planned clients
- Draft contracts, if the corporation will work with your company in another country
How it works
- Consultationgoals, clients, shareholders and the founder's tax residence
- Jurisdictionfederal or a specific province, and the rules for directors
- Documentsincorporation documents in English and shareholder details
- Registrationfiling and receiving the certificate of incorporation
- Contracts and taxcontract setup and a reporting plan for Canada and your home country
What to watch out for
- A federal corporation and some provinces require a resident Canadian director, and the wrong province may mean an extra registration
- Managing the company from another country creates a risk of tax residence there
- Canadian banks often want the director to attend in person, so we build this into the plan
- Registering a company does not give you the right to enter, work or live in Canada
- Canada's sanctions on Russia and Belarus target listed persons and certain sectors, not citizenship as such; banks still review such applications under their own rules
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is on request. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Can a foreigner incorporate in Canada as a non-resident?
Yes. A foreigner can be a shareholder, and in some provinces the sole director. That does not work for a federal corporation: by law at least a quarter of the directors, or at least one if there are fewer than four, must be resident Canadians. If you do not have such a director, we look for a province without this requirement or another structure.
Federal or provincial incorporation: what is the difference?
A federal corporation protects its name across Canada, but to do business in a particular province it usually has to register there as well. A provincial corporation is simpler if your business is concentrated in one province. The choice depends on where your clients are and who will be the director.
Does a Canadian company give me the right to move to Canada?
No. Incorporating does not give you a visa, a work permit or residence. Immigration programs for entrepreneurs are a separate topic with their own requirements, so if relocation is your goal, plan that side separately.
Can I open a Canadian bank account remotely?
Traditional banks usually ask the director to visit a branch. Payment services offer remote options, but whether they are available depends on the owner's citizenship and country of residence. The bank makes the decision.
What taxes does a Canadian corporation pay?
The corporation pays income tax at the federal and provincial level and files returns with the Canadian tax authority. The founder may also need to report the company in their own country. We work through this setup before registration, not after the first tax year.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
